It’s that time where I dole out recommendations according to what kind of mood you might be in at random — whether that be an actual mood or a specific type of book. Check out past Whatcha In the Mood For recs!
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE if you could also leave some recs for my categories in the comments to further help people looking for books that fit! Also, have a good idea for a category or something you have been looking for? Leave it in the comments!
Want a gritty contemporary?
Why? Oh this book was so hard to read at times! It deals with a kidnapping, depression, eating disorder and a whole bunch of other things that made my heart hurt and made me feel raw emotion. It’s definitely an intense and gritty sort of read dealing with some heavy topics. Plus, a bonus is that she is a black ballerina if you are looking to find a PoC main character.
Want a light-ish contemporary (that’s heavy on the wanderlust)?
Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
Why? Ooh man this one was so cute and fun — on the lighter side if you aren’t wanting anything TOO heavy. Plus it’s set in Italy and OMG I want to go back so badly. Cute romance to boot! I will make a note that the cover,while cute, makes it look kind of cheesy but I promise you it’s not! I LOVED it! (My review of Wish You Were Italian)
Want a psychological thriller?
Why? This book was soooo suspenseful and kept me reading furiously. It’s about a girl who finds herself outside of her house only to find some very shocked parents who inform her that she has been missing for the past 3 years. Her last memory was from when she was 13. The mystery of what happened in the last 3 years is SUPER compelling and the main character’s story is harrowing and intense. (My review of Pretty Girl-13)
Want A Standalone Fantasy?
Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
Why? I love fantasy series as much as the next bookworm but sometimes I want my fantasy fix but without having to wait for the next installment. Plus I have enough series going on in my life right now. Illusions of Fate is SO that book! It’s also snarky and fun and I BLEW THREW IT LAST YEAR. Magic! Great setting! Banter! WHAT IS NOT TO WANT!? I feel like it flew under the radar, too.
Fancy an adult historical fiction book that weaves generations of one family together?
A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka
Why? This book is such a gem! It takes place in World War II Poland but also half in present day and has these familial threads running throughout that just make this story so perfect — one half of the story about the grandparents from the war generation and the other about the grandaughter all these decades later who is of the generation who has had to move forward with those pieces of their history. I promise you this is NOT a war story despite what I said it taking place around this time period. SO MANY GREAT LOVE STORIES IN THIS BOOK TOO. It’s beautiful. (My review of A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True)
Have you read any of these? Agree/disagree with my recs? Have any to add?? Also, if you have a specific mood you think I should do next time….drop that in the comments!
P.S. ten books for readers who like not-so-easy-to-like characters // ten book to read if you like these super popular books/authors // ten books about friendship
Mackenzie says
Well, I just had to add 3 more books to my TBR pile. Thank you 🙂
Whenever I want to read historical fiction that weaves past and present together (not necessarily generations though), I always reach for a Kate Morton book. I haven’t read one yet that I didn’t like.
Jamie says
Oooh I haven’t read a Kate Morton! Which one would you rec to start??
Mackenzie says
That’s a tricky question! I’d say The Distant Hours. It was a page turner for me, and I could not put it down.
I haven’t read The House at Riverton yet, but it’s on my to finish pile before the end of 2015. It looks promising as well.
Jamie says
Excellent! Thank you! Need to check her books out at the library!
Sarah @ The Country Bookworm says
Really any of them! But I think the one with the best reviews is The Forgotten Garden. The Lake House jsut came out in October. She is the master of historical fiction and waeving multi-generational POVs.
Jamie says
Ooh excellent thanks!
Lianne @ eclectictales.com says
The cover art for A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True is absolutely stunning! The premise of the book sounds great too, I love multi-generational stories so I’ll be keeping an eye out for it 🙂 Thanks for sharing these recommendations!
Jamie says
The cover was definitely what drew me to it and I was so pleasantly surprised by what was inside.
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
Have you read Wanderlove? It’s a great light romance with wanderlust. I LOVED it! 🙂
Jamie says
One of my all time faves!!! I think I actually recced it in the first post of this feature if I’m not mistaken! I want moooore books like that one!
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
Oh, and I should have said: I’ll be checking out A Long Long Time Ago & Essentially True. 🙂
Jamie says
Yes you should!!
Beth @ Fuelled by Fiction says
I don’t think I have heard of any of these titles before! They all sound really great though and right up my alley! Thanks for sharing! I’ve added them all to my TBR 😀
Jamie says
Yay I’m glad you found some to read! Would love to know what you think of any of them if you get to them!
Genissa @ Story Diary says
Awesome recs! I have yet to read Wish You Were Italian but heard such great things about it!
Pretty Girl-13 is so good. I have another rec for psychological thrillers: it’s an Adult called YOU by Caroline Kepnes. It’s super creepy yet so weirdly addicting.
Jamie says
It’s super cute and fun!! Plus the setting is to die for!!
Ooh definitely checking out your rec! Thank you!
Mallory @ The Leaning Tower of Tomes says
Illusions of Fate was so good!!! I flew through it and so badly want Kiersten White to write a sequel!
Jamie says
SAME. I always say how much I want standalones and I was happy that was but I was like OMG I WANT MORE OF THESE CHARACTERS AND THIS WORLD.
Alexia says
Yessss, Pointe forever!
Seriously, I’ve recc’d Pointe so many times since I read it. It was awesome & I loved it.
I still need to read Pretty Girl 13, but since you recc’d it, it’s moving up on my list.
Illusions of Fate was a disappointment for me, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jamie says
Yes omg go read Pretty Girl-13!! And aww man I guess we have to disagree on SOME books even though it feels like we typically agree!! 😛
Tamara @ Tamaraniac says
For a light contemporary with wanderlust the first thing that pops into my head are Stephanie Perkins’ Anna and the French Kiss books!
Danielle @ Love at First Page says
Illusions of Fate is an underrated gem, IMO! Great rec for a standalone fantasy, tho it’s one of the few I wouldn’t mind a second book for!
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
I loved Pretty girl 13. Such an intense, well-written story.
Illusions of fate was such a fun, easy book 😀
Kay @ It's a Book Life says
The last two books on your list not only grabbed my attention by matching my mood, but those covers sure grabbed my eye! I love fantasy and would really enjoy a standalone. I also love family type stories like that. Thanks for the recs!!
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books says
Thanks so much for the great recommendations. I need to check out Pretty Girl-13. I love a good mystery. And I am currently living in Italy. I love this country and love books that are set here. I need to check out Wish you were Italian. It sounds great!
Joanna Morgan says
Jamie once again you’ve added some great books to my TBR! 😀 Can you recommend a book that will cheer you up when you’re in a sad/depressed or frustrated move?
Bianca S says
Great list of books here! I love that you have included so many different genres. I read certain books depending on the mood I’m in so this list helps me immensely 🙂 I have a fantastic recommendation for a book that covers a wide range of genres (fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, thriller, philosophy). It’s called “The Question” by R. Breuer Stearns (http://rbreuerstearns.com/) and it is a heavy read with lots of existential questions and ideas. If you are feeling philosophical and looking to confront the unknown than this is the book for you! The main character, Nate, and his fellow group of scientists are studying a phenomenon related to the possibilities and powers of group thinking. This group thinking may be able to answer some of our biggest life’s questions; Is there a God? Why are we here? And of course, there are many who are very opposed to studying these topics (especially those from a religious background). This book is perfect for a cold and dark day! Get ready to have your mind blown! Hope you will check it out 🙂 I think this is for someone who is in a “heavy, deep and real” kind of mood!!!